Pope appeals for Italian hostage's release

Pope Benedict XVI called for the release of Italian hostage Clementina Cantoni, who was kidnapped last month in the Afghan capital Kabul.

"I add my appeal to that of the presidents of Italy and Afghanistan, and of the Italian and Afghan people, to release the Italian aid worker Clementina Cantoni," said the pope after giving the traditional Angelus blessing to the faithful gathered in St Peter's Square.

The pontiff said he hoped that the hostage's painful experience would lead to finding "a peaceful and fraternal accord between individuals and nations".

Ms Cantoni, 32, who works for aid group CARE International, had managed a project which provides food and income-generating activities for 11,000 widows and their children since September 2003.

Her kidnappers released a video last week showing her alive and flanked by two armed men.

The Afghan interior ministry said a helpline set up to collect information on her capture had been deluged with calls.

The ministry statement gave no details on how the search for the hostage or negotiations for Ms Cantoni's release were progressing, but Afghan officials said on Friday they remained optimistic.